NUR 231 Maternal Exam 1 Study Guide | 2026
Update with complete solutions galen college
of nursing.
1. Which of the following signs are early indicators of pregnancy? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Increased libido
D. Breast tenderness
E. Positive home pregnancy test
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), nausea and vomiting, and
breast tenderness are common early signs of pregnancy. Increased libido is
not typically a sign, and while a positive home pregnancy test can confirm
pregnancy, it is not an early indicator.
2. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a woman
with a normal BMI? (Select all that apply.)
A. 25-35 pounds
B. 10-15 pounds
C. 35-45 pounds
D. 30-40 pounds
E. 15-25 pounds
Answer: A
Rationale: A normal-weight woman (BMI 18.5–24.9) is advised to gain 25-35
pounds during pregnancy, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine.
,3. What should the nurse advise a pregnant woman about exercise
during pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Exercise is not recommended during pregnancy.
B. Activities like swimming and walking are safe.
C. Avoid exercises that involve lying flat on the back after the first trimester.
D. Exercise should be limited to 10 minutes a day.
E. Women with complications should avoid exercise.
Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Swimming and walking are safe activities. Lying on the back
should be avoided after the first trimester due to the risk of reduced blood
flow to the uterus. Women with complications like preeclampsia should avoid
strenuous exercise.
4. At what point in pregnancy is the fetal heartbeat typically detectable
by Doppler ultrasound?
A. 6 weeks
B. 10 weeks
C. 12 weeks
D. 20 weeks
Answer: B
Rationale: The fetal heartbeat is typically detectable by Doppler ultrasound
around 10 weeks of gestation.
5. What is the purpose of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy?
(Select all that apply.)
A. To prevent neural tube defects
B. To reduce the risk of preterm birth
C. To prevent gestational diabetes
D. To promote the development of the brain and spinal cord
E. To help with maternal weight gain
, Answer: A, D
Rationale: Folic acid is crucial for the prevention of neural tube defects and
promotes proper development of the fetal brain and spinal cord.
6. What are common complications during the second trimester of
pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Gestational hypertension
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Severe nausea and vomiting
E. Urinary tract infections
Answer: B, C
Rationale: Gestational hypertension and vaginal bleeding are more
commonly seen in the second trimester. Hyperemesis gravidarum and severe
nausea are typically associated with the first trimester, while urinary tract
infections can occur at any point during pregnancy.
7. Which of the following is a primary concern during the third trimester
of pregnancy?
A. Preterm labor
B. Gestational diabetes
C. Preeclampsia
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: C
Rationale: Preeclampsia, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, is a
primary concern during the third trimester as it can lead to serious
complications for both mother and baby.
8. Which of the following are signs of labor? (Select all that apply.)
Update with complete solutions galen college
of nursing.
1. Which of the following signs are early indicators of pregnancy? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Amenorrhea
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Increased libido
D. Breast tenderness
E. Positive home pregnancy test
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), nausea and vomiting, and
breast tenderness are common early signs of pregnancy. Increased libido is
not typically a sign, and while a positive home pregnancy test can confirm
pregnancy, it is not an early indicator.
2. What is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy for a woman
with a normal BMI? (Select all that apply.)
A. 25-35 pounds
B. 10-15 pounds
C. 35-45 pounds
D. 30-40 pounds
E. 15-25 pounds
Answer: A
Rationale: A normal-weight woman (BMI 18.5–24.9) is advised to gain 25-35
pounds during pregnancy, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine.
,3. What should the nurse advise a pregnant woman about exercise
during pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Exercise is not recommended during pregnancy.
B. Activities like swimming and walking are safe.
C. Avoid exercises that involve lying flat on the back after the first trimester.
D. Exercise should be limited to 10 minutes a day.
E. Women with complications should avoid exercise.
Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Swimming and walking are safe activities. Lying on the back
should be avoided after the first trimester due to the risk of reduced blood
flow to the uterus. Women with complications like preeclampsia should avoid
strenuous exercise.
4. At what point in pregnancy is the fetal heartbeat typically detectable
by Doppler ultrasound?
A. 6 weeks
B. 10 weeks
C. 12 weeks
D. 20 weeks
Answer: B
Rationale: The fetal heartbeat is typically detectable by Doppler ultrasound
around 10 weeks of gestation.
5. What is the purpose of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy?
(Select all that apply.)
A. To prevent neural tube defects
B. To reduce the risk of preterm birth
C. To prevent gestational diabetes
D. To promote the development of the brain and spinal cord
E. To help with maternal weight gain
, Answer: A, D
Rationale: Folic acid is crucial for the prevention of neural tube defects and
promotes proper development of the fetal brain and spinal cord.
6. What are common complications during the second trimester of
pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hyperemesis gravidarum
B. Gestational hypertension
C. Vaginal bleeding
D. Severe nausea and vomiting
E. Urinary tract infections
Answer: B, C
Rationale: Gestational hypertension and vaginal bleeding are more
commonly seen in the second trimester. Hyperemesis gravidarum and severe
nausea are typically associated with the first trimester, while urinary tract
infections can occur at any point during pregnancy.
7. Which of the following is a primary concern during the third trimester
of pregnancy?
A. Preterm labor
B. Gestational diabetes
C. Preeclampsia
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: C
Rationale: Preeclampsia, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, is a
primary concern during the third trimester as it can lead to serious
complications for both mother and baby.
8. Which of the following are signs of labor? (Select all that apply.)
